A total of 10 stock farmers from the district of Muara Tami, Jayapura, Papua, joined cattle farming training at UGM. The farmers who live on the border with Papua New Guinea were given the knowledge in the management of cages, feed and cattle cultivation technology for four days. "There were 10 people from Jayapura who live on the border with Papua New Guinea and we invited them to raise cattle beside pigs. It turns out many of them were interested," said the Dean of the Faculty of Animal Science, Prof. Dr. Ir. Ali Agus., while accompanying the farmers from Papua on Thursday (9/6) in one of the stalls belonging to the UGM.
Agus said that they are working with the city government in an effort to foster Jayapura stock farmers. Most of those who attend this training are already raising cattle, but there are also some who have not. "They have an interest. They thought they couldn’t, but they can. At first, they thought to raise cattle is difficult, because the cattle have to be fed, nurtured, and kept in a stall," he said.
During the training of cattle farming since Monday (6/6), farmers have received many knowledges regarding the process of selecting good cattle, feed processing and management of the enclosure. "They learn all about cattle farming," he explained.
It was said by Ali Agus that Faculty of Animal Science is committed in developing livestock farming, especially for people living in border areas. In addition to increase knowledge and skills of farmers, this form of training programs of cattle farming is done in order to cooperate with the local government to develop its potential.
According to Ali Agus, Papua region has the potential for development of cattle breeding since it has vast meadows. Therefore, cattle breeding maintenance cost is relatively cheaper compared to the cage system. "The cow is released in the meadow. They will be able to feed themselves. It is a lot cheaper than feedlot system," he said.
Asis Nubuat (46), one of the farmers, said that he is deeply pleased by the training held by UGM. He learned new skills and knowledge about the cattle farming. He himself has been raising cattle since 3 years ago. "I myself am very grateful, I have my own cows. I'm coming here, I'm very grateful, this event motivated me to do what I have received here,” Asis said, who claimed to have nine cows.
Asis told, he initially raised pigs, but when he saw his neighbor from Java was raising cows, he then managed to give it a try. “In Papua we raise pigs, but since at that time we live with non-Papuans, we saw they raise cattle, I tried to buy some cows, and they keep growing and breeding. My first cow is still alive," he said.
Asis added that he just released the cows in the middle of the meadow by simply tying the cow in one tree. In his area there are about 10 hectares of land owned by others, but not utilized. "There are so many meadows there, I just put fences around the cow. Cows in there are cocky, they are always full," he said, smiling.
Desi Kaaf, co-breeder of the Jayapura city government, said that farmers are deliberately sent here to study livestock farming further so that later they can practice it at home. "On their return, we hope they can implement what they obtained,"she concluded.